The world is constantly changing and the labor market is not beyond the rule. As we move to the “futuro” (already very present), new technologies emerge, changes in society's demands and evolutions in business models - these transformations are shaping the current panorama and coming from the generation of jobs in the country. Faced with this scenario, it is essential to reflect on how we can prepare to face the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities brought by the growing possibilities that the digital and social revolution provides us.
To get a more concrete idea, around the world up to a quarter of jobs must radically transform in less than five years, on the scale of the millions of workers affected. This is the main conclusion of the latest report on the Future of Work, prepared annually by the World Economic Forum, which took into account the projections and estimates of about 800 companies surveyed (acting in 27 sectors) around the globe.
Therefore, technological innovations and the 4th industrial revolution will at the same time create and extinguish millions of vacancies, dictating the direction for the emergence of new trends and paving the importance of recurrent and increasingly intensive professional updating.
AI boosts new jobs
By 2027, technology adoption will be a key driver in business transformation. According to the survey, big data tops the list of resources that should create jobs, with 65% of respondents expecting growth in related roles.In addition, positions of analysts and data scientists, experts in big data, machine learning and AI, as well as cybersecurity professionals, are expected to grow by an average of 30%.
Digital commerce will lead to the largest absolute gains in jobs: approximately 2 million new roles are expected, such as e-commerce, digital transformation and online marketing and strategy specialists.
On the other hand, according to the report, the main jobs that should disappear are: bank tellers and related employees, Postal employees, cashiers and collectors, data entry clerks, administrative and executive secretaries, among others. I do not believe that these positions will cease to exist completely, as elevator lifts that were mandatory presence in the first half of the XX century and then became luxury article but rather, which are professions that will need to have a very pragmatic reason to endure, unlike how these activities are currently carried out.
Increase in green, educational and agricultural jobs
Investment in green transition and climate change mitigation, as well as growing consumer awareness of sustainability issues, are also driving the transformation of the labor market.As countries seek more renewable energy sources, systems and installation engineers in the area will be on the rise. Investment will also drive growth in more generalist roles such as sustainability experts and environmental protection professionals, which are expected to grow 33% and 34% respectively, reflecting in approximately 1 million jobs.
However, the biggest absolute gains will come from education and agriculture. The report concludes that vacancies in the area are expected to grow by about 10%, resulting in 3 million additional positions for teachers. Already jobs aimed at professionals in the agricultural sector, especially equipment operators, levelers and separators, can increase between 15% and 30%, culminating in more than 4 million jobs.
The profound climate changes that have surprised us with their scope, intensity and frequency in recent months (i write this article a week in which much of Brazil records the worst historical air quality indexes, thanks to fires throughout the country and extreme drought out of season) should be a lever for these professions and activities.
Professional requalification
In contrast to the emergence of many highlighted opportunities, the companies interviewed in the World Economic Forum survey warn of significant gaps between the current skills of workers and the future needs of business. Six out of ten employees will need requalification before 2027. Some of the main skills sought are the training of employees to use AI and big data, analytical thinking and also skills to develop creative thinking.
Therefore, investing in continuing education to develop these (and other) skills is crucial to ensure employability in the present/future lifelong, which means lifelong learning, has never been higher than it is now.
Ultimately, the future of the labor market will be characterized by rapid and disruptive change, but also by unprecedented opportunities for those willing to adapt and learn constantly.By embracing transformation and cultivating skills relevant to the economy of the future, we can build a more dynamic, inclusive and sustainable world for generations to come.